Best iPad Mini cases and covers (pictures)

Looking to protect your iPad Mini? Here are some of the top new cases that are available now or coming soon.

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Apple Smart Cover

Apple brings its Smart Cover to the iPad Mini. Unlike the larger Smart Cover (for standard iPads), this model has three folding points instead of four, which makes it a little easier to fold up into a stand for typing or video watching.

Note: At this time Apple isn't making a Smart Case for the iPad Mini. That model has a protective back cover. This Smart Cover only protects your iPad's screen.

Dodocase Classic

Dodocase makes a few different versions of its notebook-style case with its signature protective bamboo tray. The Classic is the base model, and, as you can see, it's available in a few different color options. Adding a camera hole costs $5 extra (that's a small bummer). You can also create a personal inscription for $10 extra.

Gumdrop Drop Tech Series

Gumdrop's highly protective Drop Tech series line, which has a built-in screen protector, comes to the iPad Mini. It's a little pricey at $60, but slightly less expensive than Otterbox's Defender Series case. Also available with red trim.

Hard Candy Shock Drop

Similar to the Gumdrop Drop Tech series but with more square corners, the Shock Drop is a highly protective case with an integrated screen cover. A little pricey for what it is but cheaper than the Otterbox. Also available in black.

i-Blason Slim Folio Book Shell

i-Blason is one of several "generic" cases from no-name brands that you'll find on Amazon. The Slim Folio Book Shell may not be all that fancy, but it costs only $15. It's worth noting that this one has a hand strap on the inside cover, which is nice for one-handed use.

The Joy Factory SmartSuit

I really like The Joy Factory's SmartSuit case. It's very slim, folds up into a stand, and has the automatic sleep/wake feature. The only problem with it is that you can find similar cases that cost less (see Poetic).

Knomo Mini Folio

Not to be confused with Khomo, London-based Knomo, a more upscale brand, offers an elegant iPad Mini folio case in leather (a few different color options are available). This is a nice case but pretty pricey at $69.

Mapicases Soli Leather Mini iPad Case

I don't highlight a whole lot of really expensive cases, but if you are looking for a swanky premium leather case, the Mapicases Soli Leather Mini case certainly fits the bill. Mapi is known for its high-quality leather, and this case should outlast your iPad.

M-Edge Incline 360

M-Edge brings its Incline 360 case to the iPad Mini. The case, which folds into a stand, is thicker and more protective than the M-Edge Profile, the company's thinnest iPad Mini case. But it does allow you to prop up the iPad Mini vertically or horizontally, which is important to some people.

It's available in multiple colors, and although its list price is a bit high, it should run closer to $35 when it eventually hits Amazon.

Moshi Versacover

Moshi makes some nice cases for the larger iPad and it has brought them over to the iPad Mini. Similar to the Incipio LGND, the Versacover's magnetic cover folds back origami-style to form a stand. It comes in four different colors and is very slim. Alas, it's expensive, but it is one of the nicer cases out there.

Pad & Quill Graduate Edition

We're fans of Pad & Quill's handmade notebook-style cases, which are also available for the larger iPads, as well as iPhones. The entry-level Graduate Edition isn't quite as swanky as the step-up Octavo, but it's still nice.

Poetic Slimline Portfolio

The Poetic Slimline Portfolio is pretty ideal: it's slim, folds into a stand, and most importantly, it's really inexpensive at around $13 (it also has the automatic sleep/wake feature). Available in several colors. This one's a definite bargain.

RooCase DualStation Folio

I've included RooCase in some other case roundups, and it offers up some very affordable cases. I picked up the black version of this case on Amazon for $6 (other colors cost more). Not sure how long that will last, but it seemed like a bargain to me when I bought it.

Speck CandyShell Grip

Speck's CandyShell cases, which are among the most popular for the iPhone, have now come to the iPad Mini. I prefer the Grip version slightly more to the standard CandyShell (they're both pretty pricey). While it doesn't protect the front of your iPad's screen, it's a thin case that adds very little weight or bulk to your Mini.

Speck FitFolio

Speck's made a lot of FitFolio cases for different tablets and e-readers, so it's no surprise it's available for the iPad Mini as well. I like this case a lot (my review sample is black). It's nice and trim and Speck's done a nice job with the clasp mechanism that keeps the case closed. Alas, the current version has no magnet inside that allows for automatic wake/sleep for your iPad. Apparently, that's coming this year.

Speck iGuy for iPad mini

I'm kinda disappointed Speck didn't call its iGuy for iPad Mini case the iGuy Mini, but I'm sure other people will. This case was a surprise hit for the larger iPad as parents discovered they could safely hand their tablets over to small children with the iGuy on duty. Obviously not an everyday case, but one you might want to have around if you do have small children or clumsy adults.